Rose

Because of their relatively high content of vitamin C, the bright scarlet to deep red, ovoid or pear-shaped fruits or hips of several species of roses always occupy a significant place in discussions of natural medicines. Most commonly, the hips are collected from the dog rose Rosa canina L., but the larger hips of the Japanese rose, R. rugosa Thunb., are valued highly, as are those of R. acicularis Lindl. and R. cinnamomea L.. All are more or less familiar members of the family Rosaceae.

Rose hips are used to prepare teas, extracts, purees, marmalades, even soups, all of which are consumed for their vitamin C content. The extracts are also incorporated into a number of "natural" vitamin preparations, including tablets, capsules, syrups, and the like. Most such preparations are careful not to state on the label exactly how much of the vitamin C content is derived from rose hips and how much from synthetic ascorbic acid. In addition to their antiscorbutic (antiscurvy) properties, rose hips have a mild laxative and slight diuretic action.

Although fresh rose hips contain concentrations of vitamin C ranging from 0.5 to 1.7 percent, the actual content of the commercially available dried fruit is extremely variable depending on the exact botanic source, where it was grown, when it was collected, how it was dried, and when and where it was stored, etc. Indeed, many commercial samples of the plant material no longer contain detectable amounts of vitamin C. Even if we assume that they contain an average of 1 percent of the vitamin and that all of the vitamin is present in the finished preparation - two propositions that are not necessarily valid -  the present cost of vitamin C from rose hips is about twenty-five times more than the synthetic product.

Rose hips contain, in addition to vitamin C, a large number of different chemical compounds, including about 11 percent of pectin and 3 percent of a mixture of malic and citric acids. These are probably responsible for the mild laxative and diuretic effects of the medication.

For many centuries, gardeners have adored the gorgeous aromatic flowers of the rose, but they have also prized the hips. These are the oval or rounded fruits of the rose that appear in late summer or fall. A rose hip is actually a receptacle that encloses the true fruits of the plant, called the achenes, or "seeds."

Rose hips were once regarded as sacred. In fact, during the Middle Ages, the Catholic rosary was so named because rosehips were once used to count the prayers as they were being said. Come to think of it, the beads of the rosary do, indeed, resemble smooth, elongated rosehips, similar to the graceful fruits adorning many species of roses.

In general, species roses are easier to care for than hybrids, and they also tend to produce more succulent hips for eating. So if your intention is culinary as well as ornamental, you might wish to cultivate plants from this group. If you plant climbing roses and want them to fruit, remember to not prune them directly after their summer flowering.

Rosehips will usually remain on the plant throughout the early part of the winter or until birds, rabbits and field mice have eaten or stored them. The hips have a zesty acidic but fruity taste, due to the rich amount of ascorbic acid present. Fresh rose hips contain 60 times as much vitamin C as oranges, and rugosa roses, with their large round fruits, are considered to have one of the highest contents.

The beautiful perfumed rose has many medicinal uses. The leaves and petals have a cooling effect and can be used in tea to bring down fevers and clear toxins and heat from the body when they produce rashes and inflammatory problems. Rose also enhances immunity, helping to restrain the development of infections through their cleansing action. An infusion of rose petals can relieve cold and flu symptoms, sore throat, runny nose and blocked bronchial tubes. An infusion or syrup of the petals or hips strengthens the lungs in their fight against infection and is particularly useful for those prone to chest problems. Roses also help fight infection in the digestive tract and help re-establish the normal bacterial population of the intestines. Rose petals and seeds have a diuretic action, relieving fluid retention and hastening elimination of wastes via the kidneys.

Rose petals have a decongestant action in the female reproductive system. Rose petals can be used to relieve uterine congestion causing pain and heavy periods, as well as for irregular periods, infertility and to enhance sexual desire.

An infusion makes a useful astringent remedy for diarrhea, enteritis and dysentery. Interestingly, rose petal tea has also been used as a laxative, as well as a liver remedy, promoting bile flow, stimulating and cleansing the liver and gallbladder, and relieving problems associated with a sluggish liver, such as headaches and constipation.

Rose hips and petals have an uplifting, restoring effect on the nervous system, and can relieve insomnia, lift depression, dispel fatigue and soothe irritability.

Rosa gallica

Rose Parts used Uses Habitat and cultivation Constituents Applications

Deciduous shrub growing to about 5 ft (1.5 m). Rose  has a smooth stem, sharp thorns, serrated leaves with 2-3 pairs of leaflets, semi double deep pink or red flowers and scarlet hips.

The rose comes originally from Iran and has been cultivated there since antiquity. Sappho, the 6th century BC Greek poet, described the red rose as the "queen of flowers". In Rome, the rose was much used in festivities, and the petals were consumed as food. Rosewater was prepared by the Arab physician Avicenna (AD 980-1037). During the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, the rose was esteemed as a remedy for depression.

PARTS USED

Hips, leaves, flowers, essential oil.

USES

The rose is not currently used in herbal medicine, but it is probably time for a re-evaluation of its medicinal benefits. The essential oil, called "attar of rose", is used in aromatherapy as a mildly sedative, antidepressant and anti- inflammatory remedy. Rose petals and their preparations have a similar action. They also help reduce high cholesterol levels. Rosewater is mildly astringent and makes a valuable lotion for inflamed and sore eyes.
Other medical uses - Herpes, Wrinkles.

HABITAT AND CULTIVATION

Native to the Middle East, the rose is not now found in the wild except as a garden escape. The rose has been cultivated for at least 3,000 years. The flowers are gathered in summer.

CONSTITUENTS

Rose contains a volatile oil consisting of geraniol, nerol, citronellol, geranic acid and other terpenes, and many other substances.

APPLICATIONS

ROSEHIPS - R. CANINA:

TINCTURE - Take as an astringent for diarrhea, to relieve colic, or as a component in cough remedies.

SYRUP - Use to flavor other medicines, add to cough mixtures, or take as a source of vitamin C.

ROSEHIPS - R. LAEVIGATA:

DECOCTION - Take with dang shen,  bai zhu, and shan yao for chronic diarrhea with stomach weakness.

ESSENTIAL OIL - R. CENTIFOLlA / R. DAMASCENA:

CREAM - Add a few drops of oil to creams for dry or inflamed skin.

LOTION - Apply 1 ml lady's mantle tincture in 10 ml rosewater for vaginal itching. The same combination can be made into a cream using a standard base. Combine rosewater with an equal amount of distilled witch hazel, and use as a cooling, moisturizing lotion for skin prone to pimples or acne.

OIL - Add 2 drops of oil to bath water for depression, grief, or insomnia.

MASSAGE OIL - Add up to 2 ml rose oil to 20 ml almond or wheat germ oil, and use to relieve stress and exhaustion, or for a sluggish digestion.

FLOWERS - R. RUGOSA:

DECOCTION - Take with motherwort  for heavy menstruation. Combine with bai shao yao and xiang fu for liver qi dysfunction.

PETALS - R. GALLICA:

TINCTURE - Take up to 3 ml three times a day for diarrhea or sluggish digestion. Combine with lady's mantle, white deadnettle, or shepherd's purse for irregular or heavy menstruation.

GARGLE - Use the infusion as a gargle for sore throats. Can also be combined with sage.

Rosa canina

Dog Brier Dog Rose Hip Rose Wild Brier Parts used Uses Habitat and cultivation Constituents Applications

Climbing perennial growing to 10 ft (3 m). The dog rose has curved thorns, leaves with 2-3 pairs of toothed leaflets, pink or white flowers, and scarlet fruit (called "hips").

The hips of the dog rose were a popular sweetmeat in the Middle Ages. The plants were not esteemed to the same degree as were cultivated roses ( R. gallica), but dog rose was valued as the source of a widely used folk remedy for chest problems.

PARTS USED

Hips, leaves, flowers, essential oil.

USES

Dog rose hips have extremely high levels of vitamins. When consumed fresh, they provide vitamins and other nutrients in a form that is readily absorbed by the body. They are used to make rose hip syrup, a nourishing drink for young children. The tannin content of rose hips makes them a gentle remedy for diarrhea. The hips are mildly diuretic. Additionally, dog rose hips reduce thirst and alleviate gastric inflammation.

HABITAT AND CULTIVATION

Native to Europe, temperate areas of Asia, and North Africa, dog rose grows in hedgerows and in thickets and open areas. The fruit is picked in autumn.

CONSTITUENTS

Dog rose hips contain vitamins C (up to 1.25%), A, BI, B2, B3 and K, flavonoids, tannins (2-3%), invert sugar, pectin, plant acids, polyphenols, carotenoids, volatile oil and vanillin.

APPLICATIONS

ROSEHIPS - R. CANINA:

TINCTURE - Take as an astringent for diarrhea, to relieve colic, or as a component in cough remedies.

SYRUP - Use to flavor other medicines, add to cough mixtures, or take as a source of vitamin C.

ROSEHIPS - R. LAEVIGATA:

DECOCTION - Take with dang shen,  bai zhu, and shan yao for chronic diarrhea with stomach weakness.

ESSENTIAL OIL - R. CENTIFOLlA / R. DAMASCENA:

CREAM - Add a few drops of oil to creams for dry or inflamed skin.

LOTION - Apply 1 ml lady's mantle tincture in 10 ml rosewater for vaginal itching. The same combination can be made into a cream using a standard base. Combine rosewater with an equal amount of distilled witch hazel, and use as a cooling, moisturizing lotion for skin prone to pimples or acne.

OIL - Add 2 drops of oil to bath water for depression, grief, or insomnia.

MASSAGE OIL - Add up to 2 ml rose oil to 20 ml almond or wheat germ oil, and use to relieve stress and exhaustion, or for a sluggish digestion.

FLOWERS - R. RUGOSA:

DECOCTION - Take with motherwort  for heavy menstruation. Combine with bai shao yao and xiang fu for liver qi dysfunction.

PETALS - R. GALLICA:

TINCTURE - Take up to 3 ml three times a day for diarrhea or sluggish digestion. Combine with lady's mantle, white deadnettle, or shepherd's purse for irregular or heavy menstruation.

GARGLE - Use the infusion as a gargle for sore throats. Can also be combined with sage.

ROSE BOWL

• 4 cups bone-dry rose petals
• 2 cups dried rose leaves
• 2 Tbs. ground cinnamon
• 3 cups dried lavender buds
• 1/3 cup orris root powder
• 2 Tbs. ground all-spice
• 1/4 cup ground cloves
• 2 ground tonka beans
• 6 drops oil of roses
• 3 drops oil of lavender

Combine all the dry ingredients, mix well, and add the oils, a drop at a time, mixing as you work. Seal into a jar, and cure for 6 weeks in a dry, dark, warm place that is well ventilated. Shake the jar daily. When cured, turn the potpourri into a decorative container with a tightly stoppered lid. Open only when the potpourri is in use.